Smiley: Super Saints season

Smiley: Super Saints season

My Fearless Football Forecast for the New Orleans Saints might be a tad too optimistic, but I’ve got a good feeling:

Fine start

The lads in black and gold open the season with a bang, downing the Falcons in Atlanta.

Sorry, Johnny

Another road game, in Cleveland, has the Saints doing to Johnny Football what LSU did to him when he was an Aggie at Texas A&M — bringing the star down to earth.

Three nice wins

Finally in the friendly confines of the Expensive German Car Superdome, the home team whips up on the Minnesota Vikings.

Then it’s on the road again, and a decisive victory over the Dallas Cowboys in a Sunday night affair, a debacle that has Jerry Jones fuming.

Back in the Dome, the Saints win another NFC South game, against Tampa Bay, entering the bye week a sparkling 5-0.

Bummer!

But, alas, the Saints drop a close road game to the surging Detroit Lions.

Home sweet Dome

The Saints’ home crowd on a Sunday night makes the difference, as the Green Bay Packers go down to defeat.

Bummer II

Another road game results in another loss, in a dreaded Thursday night game on the NFL Network (aka The “Where’s That Channel Again?” Network), to NFC South foe Carolina Panthers.

Drew the man!

The Saints find their mojo again, just in time to pull out an exciting game at home against the San Francisco 49ers. Drew Brees is at his best, which is good enough to beat anybody.

Making it three

The San Fran win starts a three-game home stand, as the Saints vanquish two AFC foes — the Bengals on a Sunday and the Ravens on a Monday night — gaining national attention.

Fans going crazy

Losing a road game against the Pittsburgh Steelers doesn’t do much to dampen enthusiasm in New Orleans, and the crazed fans are out in force the next Sunday to watch their heroes gain revenge over the Carolina Panthers.

Down, then up

Road woes continue as the black and gold boys drop a Monday nighter to the improved Chicago Bears.

But they return home and wow their fans by completing a sweep over the Falcons to clinch the NFC South, as Jimmy Graham runs wild against the Dirty Birds’ defenders.

The 12th win

The final regular-season game, against the Bucs in Tampa, isn’t one the Saints need. But they still win, to wind up with a 12-4 record and a bye and home-field advantage in the playoffs.

Revenge!

The Saints take advantage of its fans’ enthusiasm with a win over the Seattle Seahawks. The Hawks are put at a disadvantage by the insanely loud crowd — and officials who don’t allow its defensive backs to mug Saints receivers.

Revenge II

The win over the Seahawks is sweet after last year’s debacle, and the Saints get revenge this year as the Lions come to town for the NFC championship game. Mark Ingram leads a pounding ground game and Rob Ryan’s defenders earn their pay with takeaways.

Super Manning

Then it’s off to Arizona for the Super Bowl, facing the Denver Broncos and New Orleans’ own Peyton Manning.

Peyton makes up for his last Super Bowl failure, outdueling Brees and leading his team to victory. As he accepts the MVP trophy, he shocks everyone by announcing his retirement.

Still the ones

The Saints return to New Orleans as heroes despite the loss, and fans hold a party that lasts until Mardi Gras.

Special People Dept.

The Rev. Sam Johnson celebrated his 102nd birthday on Aug. 1. He is the retired pastor of Afton Villa Baptist Church and St. Peter Baptist Church, both in West Feliciana Parish.